Rick Mayer
Digital ProducerI’m the online producer for Health News Florida, a collaboration of public radio stations and NPR that delivers news about health care issues.
This is an important position at WUSF. In 2019, the typical U.S. family spent about 11 percent of its annual income on health care, so it stands to reason issues of cost, quality, access and innovation are consequential to all Floridians. Then COVID-19 came along, and the weight of these matters gained exponentially. I take our reporting on these topics quite seriously, as I’m sure you do, too.
Literally growing up in newsrooms and a little serendipity along the way prepared me well for the post. Here’s the abridged version: I’m a Tampa guy, graduating from H.B. Plant High and thrust into the world with my USF degree rolled tightly in hand. From there, it was three mostly sleepless decades as an editor at The Tampa Tribune, then developing and managing an online journal serving physician executives. There’s also my side job editing a statewide health magazine.
And being married to a longtime hospital nurse/case manager helps; dinner conversation often gives me a feel of what’s happening on the front lines. The good and not-so-good.
Of course, my time isn’t always spent flailing in the health news vortex. You’re actually more likely to find me breaking down the Bucs, Bulls or Bolts after a game, taking Oodle the poodle to the dog park or tinkering the backroom piano while vicariously reliving my former life as a musician. (Remember, kids: Parents of percussionists have plenty of patience. Plenty!)
Contact Rick on X @rmayer2361 or by email at Mayer1@wusf.org.
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The Clearwater-based health system, in a partnership with Zipline, will be able to move meds, lab samples and critical supplies within minutes after the aircraft begin flying in Pinellas County in 2027. -
A request for qualifications offers some timeline specifics that reflect the team's sense of urgency, with site work expected to begin Aug. 14, the same day the construction manager is announced. -
Tampa Bay had to wait until the second round, but traded up six spots to take the forward, who will play at UMass this season. Kulebiakin and the other picks will be at this week's development camp in Brandon. -
The Bucs' plans include a shading structure to protect fans from the elements. Tampa City Council Chair Alan Clendenin says that's an example of a desire — not a lease obligation — as far as taxpayers are concerned. -
Nelson, the American Conference Player of the Year, is the first Bull taken in the draft in 16 years. He landed in Orlando as the 51st overall selection as part of a three-team deal involving Washington and Milwaukee. -
The two-week operation uncovered more than $6.5 billion in false claims submitted to insurers, according to the Department of Justice. Florida had 36 people listed as defendants, including 26 federal cases and 10 in state courts. -
Castricone, a two-decade radio veteran, comes across the county to take over for Gene Deckerhoff, who retired in December after 37 years behind the mic. -
Lakeland Regional becomes the 12th Level I center designated by the Department of Health. The hospital, which cares for more than 4,400 patients annually, has been a provisional Level I facility since May 2025. -
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said the San Francisco players who wrote a Bible verse on rainbow-themed caps received no discipline and assured there was no religious discimination involved. -
Griffin, a 2002 USF graduate, will serve a two-year term after serving as acting chair since April, when Will Weatherford announced he would leave the position.
